It was just another day at school when my best friend Mandy came up to me. I was only four at the time. Mandy had said, “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to your birthday, I had to go to my great grandma’s funeral,” but her face turned black and a word appeared above her head. Since I was an advanced four year old I could read the word which said, “Liar.”
I knew Mandy was lying, somehow I knew that that was true and what she said wasn’t. As a four year old, I had a huge heart, thus, I forgave Mandy. But that day I uncovered my inner power and became a target for The Facility.
***
The most annoying beeping sound woke me up, by now I was used to it but it never ceased to amaze me how monotonous and aggravating it was. My eyes opened quickly, startled, to stare at the stone gray ceiling. The dim light lit up most of the room, creating shadows in the corners. The only things in my bare room were the metal bed, bolted to the floor, and a toilet in a small room no larger than broom closet. I sat up in bed and looked around, something felt out of place. Something was different. Let’s see, I remember last night I was in the testing area for a brief check-up then I… what happened after that? My mind was blank; I couldn’t remember what happened in the testing area.
For some strange reason I remember the walk to the testing area quite vividly. I remember the man in the white coat coming to unlock my room. The lock had clicked loudly and my door swung open, hitting the wall behind it. I stood and walked to the door, letting the scientist take my arm and lead me to the testing area. As we walked down the hallway we passed many rooms though I couldn’t see in any of them. About halfway to the testing area we came upon another scientist with a young teen in tow. We walked beside them for a while; the boy beside me looked about five years older than me and at least a foot taller. I didn’t bother to look at the scientists because they were pretty much all the same. The scientist that was holding the boy transferred his arm to the scientist that was holding me then left. My scientist, Jack, or so his nametag said, brought this boy and me to the double doors of the testing area. And that’s where my memory draws a blank.
My mind feels kind of fuzzy, like a radio tuned to the wrong station. Who are you!? A voice in my head questioned. I looked around and seeing nobody in the room decided to speak through my thoughts, for all I know to myself. I am Ariel. Who are you? A long pause, I can tell whoever is on the other end of this conversation is pondering their next move. Adam. I’m Adam Kohl. Why are you in my head? Or why am I in yours?
I’m assuming you are in The Facility when I give my explanation of these… abilities we acquired. Last night I was escorted to the testing area with my designated scientist and this morning I woke up with no recollection of that evening’s events. Did anything like that happen to you? I asked Adam though I was quite positive I knew the answer. Keys jingled on the other side of the door and a key was inserted. Yeah! The exact same thing happened to me, except when I was on my way I was walking with some girl and her scientist, I guess that was you? He asked somewhat hesitantly. The door swung open and I stood up and walked toward the door. That was me. I guess we’ll see what happens next... I thought to him as I looked at the scientist at the door with a quizzical look. I never got a response from Adam.
***
Over the next three years Adam and I have grown close, like brother and sister. The scientists tested the distance of our communicating capabilities but couldn’t find a limit. All was well until Adam passed some alarming news on to me. Ariel, we are breaking out tonight. I choked on the water I was drinking and was surprised by the idea. Why should we break out again, I must have missed that part? I told him, sarcastically.
I overheard some scientists talking about extracting the powers from the kids in here and all the people linked by mind will be killed and their powers extracted tomorrow night! I gasped aloud and quickly paced back and forth on the gray stone floor of my prison-like room. How could we possibly get out of here? We can’t even go to the bath without a scientist outside our door! A moment of silence then my door clicks and opens violently. None other than Adam and his scientist are standing outside my door. “I think I found a new power,” Adam says. I stare at Adam, this is the first time I’ve seen him since the operation that linked us together. My eyes end up on the scientist who looked no different than normal. “Somehow I can control his actions like he’s my puppet or something.” I nod my head and walk out the door. Come on there is no time to waste Adam. So, what’s your plan? I look over at him and he shrugs. “Actually I’m making this up as I go,” I almost trip over my own feet as he finishes with a, “just kidding!” and the goofiest smile.
We don’t have to move far because my room is the closest one to the detainment unit. Lucky for us no scientists are near the detainment unit, I wonder why…? I feel excitement coming from the testing area; they have to be doing some sort of show for the scientists.
I agree, let’s keep moving, we wouldn’t want to be caught at this point. I respond. Adam nods and gets his scientist to open the door to the detainment room.
That room was packed full of the worst nightmares and put on display in cages all around. The first creature we saw was obviously being punished with no food, causing her to eat her own limbs. A little boy was stuck in a floating water bubble, drowning in his own power. An older child was sitting in a cage with knives sticking out from every part of the body. Another child- Adam gingerly covered my eyes shielding me from damage even a lifetime of therapy couldn’t help. Small tears collected in my eyes and one slid down my check. He pulled me through row after row of horrors, looking for something. “Aha!” I guess he found it.
I was suddenly pulled faster, my eyes uncovered, and going up a flight of stairs. Adam was in the lead with the scientist behind me. He led up the stairs to the gymnasium. We went to the door but saw people walking around so went to the door leading straight outside. Before we could get within ten feet of the door an alarm sounded. This sound was much different than the bell that woke us up every morning at five. It was shriller and practically screamed emergency alert. “They came to take some more testing subjects! Stop them!” Some scientists yelled as they ran through the gym and into the staircase. One scientist saw Adam and me and yelled, “Those two are trying to escape!” a few scientists ran over followed by two guards. We pushed the door open and left the scientist that had been controlled by Adam to block the door.
Adam has long legs and can run quite fast, I could tell since I was behind him coughing on the dust he kicked up. As we were nearing the cliff edge Adam turned his head to glance at me and at that moment an iron grip latched on to my right arm. Something metallic pressed to my left temple and I screamed loudly. Adam turned and opened his mouth then immediately closed it running toward me and the person holding me captive. Adam made a flying leap onto my attacker and did no damage to muscular guard holding me. The guard pushed Adam to the side and pulled the trigger on the gun. I screamed even louder than before then my vision started to blur. Adam had fallen over the side of the cliff, and my vision was going black.
“What happened to her mind link?” One of the scientists asked as they came beside me.
“He fell over the cliff and died.” The guard answered. My vision went black and all my senses went numb.
